Bath Covered Bridge

Bath Covered Bridge crosses the Ammonoosuc River and measures 374 feet (114 m) in length, with a dark red wooden roof sheltering the roadway and side walls. The structure rests on stone abutments at both banks and shows exposed beams inside that run diagonally.

Since 1794, a crossing has linked both shores here, though floods and fire destroyed the first four versions. The present structure dates from 1832 and received additional laminated arch supports during the 1920s.

The name recalls the first wooden crossing built in 1794 to replace a ford. On warm afternoons, locals with children pause here to look through the side openings at the water below.

The crossing sits at the junction of US 302 and NH 10 and remains open to cars and pedestrians. Following major repairs in 2014, the roadway stays level and easy to drive across.

The roof carries the original red oil paint, refreshed every few decades to maintain protection. In winter, icicles sometimes form along the lower edges of the side walls when the river stays cold.